Gazing
mysteriously over Giza, the inscrutable Egyptian sphinx is descriptive
of the ancients’ link between royalty and the king of beasts. From
Assyrian days, the ceremonial lion hunt held special importance for
the king. By slaying the wild creature, the king affirmed his power
over nature and asserted his sovereignty as the reigning shepherd
of his flock. Early writings depict a tradition, dating back to the
mythology of planet/god Ninurta (or Saturn), as the original hunting
deity. Leo is emblematic of both lions and kings, and from July 16
2005 until September 2 2007 Saturn will return to this area of the
zodiac, as the leaders face their test.

Historical
fact shows that neither kings nor kingdoms fare well with Saturn in
Leo. Saturn, is the boundary marker of the planets, and is involved
with re-arranging national borders and usurping existing empires.
It was there for the Bolshevik revolution, and the sacking of the
Tsar’s palace in 1917. It foreshadowed the reshuffling of national
frontiers across Europe and the Middle East, following the Great War.

Saturn
retuned to Leo at the end of the Second World War. This was perhaps
a more important time, in light of today, as it ties in with an important
60-year geo-political cycle involving both Saturn and Jupiter. The
Sun set on the British Raj, India assumed independence, and the nation
Pakistan was created. Korea was split into North and South, and Germany
East and West. Nationalist China came into being, as Japan replaced
their Emperor. Israel was born from Palestine’s division. These nations
and their leaders are most open to change and restructure over the
next two years, and we can already see the eventuating signs.

In
a personal horoscope Saturn in Leo portends powerful leadership potential,
with karmic overtones. Such was the case for Nelson Mandela, whose
twenty-seven year imprisonment, for civil rights protests, propelled
him along destiny’s road. It eventually led to the leadership of his
country, and social equality for his people. Conversely Adolf Hitler’s
obsession with centralizing power at the expense of other’s freedom,
led to the destruction of himself and his homeland.

The
time of judgement is now upon many leaders. Saturn’s sojourn through
the domestic home sign of Cancer has coincided with public privations
and family sacrifices. The repercussions of this will be felt with
increased support for leaders who have fairly represented their subjects,
and an abrupt fall for those who haven’t. A Conan the Barbarian approach
will be a fast-train to failure.

As
Saturn exits Cancer it has also overseen a general decline in property
value, and increased family debt, which will reflect upon speculative
confidence. Leo is a sign of speculation, whereas Saturn hedges bets.
Expect contracting markets, and possibly a fall in the gold standard
from the middle of 2006 onward as Saturn faces its tougher aspects.

At
least as important as a planet’s sign placement is it’s fellow planetary
connections. Saturn’s main association in Leo will be via an opposition
to Neptune from August 31 2006 lasting until June 25 2007. This is
a classic ‘face off’ of idealism versus practicality, religion versus
the establishment, greenies and governments.

Neptune
is socialism and the common collective. Saturn represents capitalism
and control of a different order. The current cycle began with the
1989 fall of the Berlin wall. It is also integral to China’s modern
history prefacing the Boxer rebellion, Japanese invasion and Tiananmen
Square tragedy. A worldwide gap between the right and left political
wings will need to be bridged. Authoritarian administrations will
feel this the most.

The
opposition aspect has not only spelt a changing of the guard for world
leaders, but pointedly the British Royals. The death of Victoria,
demise of George, the renunciation of Edward, and the passing of Edward
are prime examples. In this light, Prince Charles’ succession intentions,
should surely become evident from mid 2006.

The
medical axis of Saturn and Neptune has long been linked to pandemics
such as the Asian flu. The medical world will work overtime to combat
such threats along with the omnipresent bio-terror risk. And Neptune
of course rules oil and the sea. The limitations of an oil-based economy
are becoming increasingly evident, and stricter controls in this domain
as well as over seaways, water supplies and rationing seem a matter
of course. Positively, the US withdrew from Vietnam at the last opposition,
Nixon signed the Moscow pact, and became the first US leader to visit
China. What this means for US relations with Iraq and Taiwan remains
to be seen.

Here’s
the lowdown on Saturn’s leonine filter for all the signs utilizing
appropriate Sun-Sign examples also born with Saturn in Leo.

Aries:Behind
innovative Arian, Charles Chaplin’s comedic genius was inventive planning
and structure. Scenes, too difficult or dangerous to enact, were filmed
in reverse and replayed normally creating a carefully constructed
optical illusion. Saturn in Leo, for Aries, is asking for such structured
expression. Tonight-show host David Letterman’s off the cuff remarks
are often read ‘straight from the heart’. This is all about serious
fun, the crafted masterwork. Your inspiration begs for form. It’s
perfect for putting pen to paper, learning the lines of a play, or
finally taking a recreational pursuit seriously. Your fear of rejection
should ensure you get it right. The wrong thing would be to do nothing.
Increased responsibilities around children and matters of the heart
call for a disciplined commitment. Top

Taurus:
Mother country and fatherland are words that connect our internal
image of home with nurturance. Saturn brings responsibility and decision
concerning personal security, home and family. This requires putting
down personal anchors, starting with the place you call home. Materially
it can prompt you to invest in real-estate, or undertake renovations,
all with the purpose of creating your own comfort zone. On an emotional
level it is identification with a core group that spells family, and
sanctuary to you. Initially you may be prompted by feeling of want
in these areas. But don’t take homeland security and control as earnestly
as fellowTaurean Adolf Hitler. Think of it more as establishing, or
re-establishing your roots in the setting of your choice. Top

Virgo:Any
free-floating anxieties are shining a light on your unconscious. You
may now face hidden fears and deal with them. Horror and suspense
author, Stephen King, channeled this placement into a rewarding creative
expression. Jungian astrologer and author, Liz Greene,(Virgo Like
King), is another who illuminates our hidden motivations, melding
both modern and ancient methodology. Saturn is all about dealing with
the past. This may be a forgotten or repressed past, and something
that you’d be best to let go of. Any fear of ‘release’ will call for
a new understanding. There may be some sort of ‘healing’ issues around
you, or increased involvement with places of seclusion and retreat.
Spiritual cleansing and karmic culmination ultimately lead to a rebirth.
Top

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